Valerie la Traverse

Valerie La Traverse has an extensive work experience in various roles and organizations. Valerie is currently the Vice President Corporate Affairs at SSHRC-CRSH since November 2021. Prior to that, they worked at Global Affairs Canada | Affaires mondiales Canada, where they held the positions of Senior Trade Commissioner/Head of Business Development from August 2017 to September 2021, and Executive Director, Science & Technology, and Innovation in May 2017. Valerie also worked at Innovation, Science and Economic Development / Innovation, Sciences et Développement économique as part of the Secretariat, Science Review Panel from June 2016 to May 2017. Before that, Valerie served at Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada as the Deputy Director, Policy Research from October 2013 to July 2016. Valerie started their career at the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada as the Deputy Director, Stakeholder Relations and Communications, Trade Negotiations Division from September 2012 to September 2013, and as the Deputy Director, Science, Technology and Innovation from September 2010 to October 2012. Valerie also worked as a Science and Technology Counsellor at the Canadian Embassy in Washington DC from 2005 to September 2010, and as a Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Consulate in Phoenix, Arizona from 2004 to 2005. Their early career includes a role as the Executive Director at the New England-Canada Business Council from 1995 to 1998.

Valerie La Traverse attended McGill University from 1983 to 1986, where they earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs. Later, from 1990 to 1992, they studied at Concordia University and obtained a Master's in Business Administration, specializing in International Business.